Great decision and appropriate penalties given out.
For those complaining about consistency - the league already said they were going to up the ante on the penalties after the Davies incident. Good for the league.
While I don't want them to go overboard, I think a 1 or 2 game suspension is totally appropriate. I wouldn't mind seeing the team fined in addition to the player, as well.
Diving does not *have* to be part of the game. I think MLS is getting this one right.

Photo by ISIphotos.com In the aftermath of Charlie Davies' dive that earned a penalty against Real Salt Lake earlier this season, Major League Soccer's discipline committee promised further punishment for future offenders. Real Salt Lake forward Alvaro Saborio found that out first-hand on Frid...

I think that's about right - the talent gulf between the US and other isn't so severe that we aren't going to lose more than a few that we shouldn't. And we really don't create enough chances and finish well enough. Nothing surprising there.
HOWEVER, you do have to question why the US was *so* badly outplayed in the first 60 minutes. It wasn't that the US had all these chances and couldn't finish; the US wasn't creating much at all. That is what the focus should be on -- the poor possession, the lack of good movement, the lack of bite in the midfield, etc, etc, etc.
Either way, there are more games and hopefully growth to come out of this team and coaching staff. Not ready to throw the baby out with the bath water but this was a bad defeat. Got to move forward and find some answers but Panama provided an interesting blueprint on how to take it to the US.

By FRANCO PANIZO TAMPA - The U.S. men's national team entered its game on Saturday night with an unblemished record against Panama and in the all-time history of the group stages in the Gold Cup. Both unbeaten records were broken at Raymond James Stadium after Panama held off a comeback effo...

Photo by Brad Smith/ISIphotos.com By AVI CREDITOR Hans Backe's forward selection quandary seems to be working itself out. After an agonizing start to the season, one that saw the New York Red Bulls manager swap Luke Rodgers for Juan Agudelo in the starting lineup, the Eastern Conference favori...

BY ADAM SERRANO It's not too early for a match to be a must win. Chivas USA will look to earn their first victory as they travel on the road to Northern California to take on the San Jose Earthquakes. The match is vital for both teams as they look to avoid falling further back in the Western...

Total tangent -- but was it me or did they cut away from live field action for more replays, pans to the coaches, pointless close-ups on players, etc. than usual? I found it frustrating.
Back on topic. Great first half by RSL, incredible finish by Morales in the second half. I don't know why RSL couldn't string a few more passes together in the second half (especially early in the half before they were totally gassed.) Just the same, fun game to watch and will be rooting hard for MLS boys in the return leg.

When Real Salt Lake hosts the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League final next week, it will do so sitting in the driver's seat. Javier Morales scored an equalizer in the 89th minute to give RSL a 2-2 draw with Monterrey in the first leg of their final matchup in Mexico. Salt Lake's tw...

I read this article and am already trying to plan a trip down with the family. Thought it might be a fun experience for the kids to see how the pros train up close. I think creating this type of facility and atmosphere is a *great* idea.

(photo courtesy of Brian Wendel) By JOSE M. ROMERO At least six MLS clubs are either locked in or have verbally committed to hold preseason training at Grande Sports World, a 45-acre, multi-field facility in Casa Grande, Ariz. GSW will welcome Real Salt Lake to the facility from Jan. 23-Feb....

I think the move is understandable in the context of winning now (provided they bring in one more player from abroad) but will be viewed poorly within 2 years if they don't win MLS Cup.
Bowen is closer to prime time than not. He looks like a future star and if he develops as early as next year, the trade will look downright silly unless Galaxy win the cup.
Here's hoping it works out for the Galaxy and Bowen. Just because he has been traded off the Galaxy doesn't mean I'll stop rooting for him.

BY ADAM SERRANO Today has been an active day for MLS teams in Los Angeles. After selecting Juan Pablo Angel with their fourth selection in the MLS re-entry draft,the Los Angeles Galaxy have sent forward Tristan Bowen to archrival Chivas USA for allocation money. As part of the agreement, the ...

It is that time again. Time for all you SBI readers to take part in our annual SBI Reader Roll Call, a reader survey we use to help identify our demographics for advertisers and to see what areas of the sport we should be trying to cover more. Thanks to you, the SBI readers, our third year in...

Have to agree with most. I tuned in to watch as a soccer and MLS fan whose team wasn't in it and kind of had to gut it out to get through the game. The play was so ragged, it was disappointing. The atmosphere was really weak. Have to agree with everyone on that.
One more nit, I just surfed over to ESPN and the game is like the 7th article in their top events box. Yeesh. The MLS championship is below who the Mets are going to name as their next manager. Sad. Just sad.

Photo by ISIphotos.com By AVI CREDITOR TORONTO - The MLS Cup is staying put in the Rocky Mountain region. Extra-time substitute Mac Kandji's close-range shot ricocheted off George John for an own goal in the 108th minute, lifting the Colorado Rapids to a 2-1 victory over FC Dallas and their f...

Ah yes, the old 'size and athleticism' argument. In this case, 5' 3" is awfully short so I am not going to put up much of a fight except to point out that yes, there are players that tall playing in top leagues around the world who do not have Messi-esque skill. Rare but possible.
Not that Giggsy indicated otherwise, but there is nothing wrong with players - short or big - who have high soccer IQs, excellent technical ability and bring something to the game. Sure, combined w/size and athleticism that is great but I hate hearing people dismiss a player at any level due to size.

With the 2010 MLS Draft class looking like it could be one of the best in league history, and with the 2009 draft class also having impressed, more and more eyes are focusing on the talent being produced on the college level. This year should be just as good, if not better, with a plethora o...

Egads FOX Soccer is reporting that Gooch isn't out for fitness reasons and that it was a selection choice by Bradley. If so, that is a roll of the dice. Well, Bob, if that is accurate this decision may well define your tenure as coach. Here's to you coming out looking like a genius and not some strung out gambler.
Wonder if Ives is behind the Fox news item or not.

The U.S. men's national team takes on Algeria today in a crucial World Cup match that could help the Americans reach the second round with a win. I will be providing commentary on the match throughout the day so please feel free to follow along here. As always, you are welcome to share your ...

Gooch must have an injury or Bradley is concerned about him getting injured. I can't imagine him being held out for any other reason -- never heard of a coach saving a player in a must win game. That would be crazy over confidence. Hope it is nothing serious. Hate seeing the defense shuffled for such a big game when we've already had plenty of communication issues. Just the same, it is what it is. Here's hoping they play great as a unit and keep the ball out of the net for the first clean sheet in who knows how long.

The U.S. men's national team takes on Algeria today in a crucial World Cup match that could help the Americans reach the second round with a win. I will be providing commentary on the match throughout the day so please feel free to follow along here. As always, you are welcome to share your ...

Photo by John Todd/ISIphotos.com The first thing you should know about U.S. men's national team practices is that they are closed to the media. Well, except for the last 15 minutes, a time period that usually doesn't reveal much about the team besides who is doing well in finishing drills a...

For this game, I couldn't agree more. And while the Galaxy total shape and defense were very good, their ability to connect three passes together -- for the second straight game -- was quite poor. Juninho or someone else in the middle of the park has to be able to link better. Speaking of being awful, Justin Braun was miserable.

BY ADAM SERRANO A pair of Edson Buddle goals were the difference as the Galaxy dominated from the opening whistle to dispatch their in-stadium rivals, Chivas USA 2-0 at Home Depot Center on Thursday night. The Galaxy opened up the scoring early with a beautiful header by Buddle, who received a p...

Anyone else see this image?
http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/2010/soccer/03/20/mls.labor.ap/donovan-garber.jpg
It is commissioner Garber shaking hands with Donovan after the agreement was reached.
Check out the pad he was taking 'notes' on during the negotiations. Apparently, doodling during meetings is universal, no matter how 'important' the meeting. Apparently he even found time to color.

The 2010 Major League Soccer season will begin on time after the league and its players union agreed to a new Collective Bargaining Agreement on Saturday. The sides agreed to a new five-year deal. MLS commissioner Don Garber and MLS players union executive Bob Foose announced the deal in a co...

Defending MLS champion Real Salt Lake head into 2010 having lost just one key player from its title team in Yura Movsisyan, but took a major step toward replacing him with the acquisition of Costa Rican national team striker Alvaro Saborio. RSL announced the signing of Saborio on Friday even...

My biggest concern was Donovan's lack of involvement and the usual inability for the team to string together passes consistently. There were 1 or 2 nice moments where they strung a few together but they are going to have to be better than that.
That said, I don't know how anyone couldn't be pleased by the way they kept their shape and defended the first half. A little less kickball out of the back would be nice but that's just being picky.
I guess what I am trying to say is that I agree with Ives b/c the lineup performed mostly to expectation and did a good job against a very good team. We are just hurting at forward and if Donovan isn't more involved in the offense then we tend not to have any.

Photo by ISIphotos.com There was plenty of ugliness, but some promising moments for the U.S. national team in its 2-1 loss to the Netherlands. The Dutch midfield dominated, its wingers showed up great speed and moves and the Americans struggled to find many of their own chances in the first...

It is tough to keep watching this slop. Hull is miserable. I don't know who I would compare these bottom two sides to but, seriously, they don't look too different from MLS teams. Don't want to start the whole discussion thing but the best from MLS are probably worse (IMO) but they can't be far off.

There are only two club matches of any consequence today, but since both will feature American players, it is worth having a running commentary for. Brad Friedel and Aston Villa face Liverpool while Jozy Altidore and Hull City takes on Bolton in a relegation battle. Altidore earns another star...

Well, we now know the answer to which 19yr olds want to put in extra running. The answer is those that want to stay in more than 55 mins. Seriously, I would have pulled him too. He looked tire. If he wasn't tired, he looked very casual and uninspired in his effort. Even the way he closes down defenders. He is still young, but they used to rave about his attitude, etc. when he was in MLS. Neither he or Fagan looked remotely dangerous but at least Fagan was running around.

There are only two club matches of any consequence today, but since both will feature American players, it is worth having a running commentary for. Brad Friedel and Aston Villa face Liverpool while Jozy Altidore and Hull City takes on Bolton in a relegation battle. Altidore earns another star...

There are only two club matches of any consequence today, but since both will feature American players, it is worth having a running commentary for. Brad Friedel and Aston Villa face Liverpool while Jozy Altidore and Hull City takes on Bolton in a relegation battle. Altidore earns another star...

Totally correct. He doesn't seem to know where to be. And he doesn't seem to challenge to occupy a defender -- even when it is clear you won't win the ball, you should at least challenge. Really, you root hard for the guy and he isn't getting good service but he isn't showing particularly well either. Poor touch/not precise enough/doesn't battle hard enough. Hopefully, something better in the next 45.

There are only two club matches of any consequence today, but since both will feature American players, it is worth having a running commentary for. Brad Friedel and Aston Villa face Liverpool while Jozy Altidore and Hull City takes on Bolton in a relegation battle. Altidore earns another star...